A man who allegedly threatened a woman with a baby and two busloads of young children in Dublin while armed with a knife has been remanded in custody after a judge held he was a “danger to the public in his present state”.
Oisín Peavoy, aged 38, who resides at an apartment building on Granby Row, Dublin 1, was arrested following the incident yesterday morning.
A court was told witnesses heard upset children saying, “we are going to die” during the incident.
He was charged with four offences, including two counts under weapons legislation for the production of a knife at Gardiner Street and Parnell Square in the north inner city.
The other two charges are under the Public Order Act for threatening, abusive, or insulting words and behaviour at the two locations.
He was brought to Mountjoy Garda Station where he declined the offer of legal representation.
Mr Peavoy was charged and held pending his appearance before Judge Gerard Jones at Dublin District Court today.
Detective Garda Paul Griffin told the court he intended to object to bail, and Mr Peavoy insisted he would represent himself.
The court heard that Mr Peavoy’s replies to two charges were: “I object, I have evidence that this is not true.” He also answered, “I object” and “This is the only one that is somewhat lawful”.
Outlining the evidence, Det Gda Griffin said that it was alleged the accused was armed with a knife.
When the judge asked if there had been “any public danger,” the garda replied, “yes.”
He said at 8:42am, the accused brandished a knife at Parnell Square and then, while acting erratically and aggressively, threatened a woman with her baby telling her to “f**k off”.
“This was totally unprovoked,” Det Gda Griffin said, adding that there was a coach full of crèche children which the accused blocked with his hands outstretched.
The court heard that the children saw him and became “hysterical”, and two of them were allegedly overheard saying, “we’re going to die”.
The second incident was 35 minutes later, when the accused allegedly brandished the knife at Gardiner Street.
It was claimed he went up to a bus carrying school children, but the driver closed the doors.
It was alleged the accused “stared at the driver and pointed at the knife in a sheath in his belt in a clear attempt to intimidate the driver”.
The court heard the children were aged six to 12 years.
In court, Mr Peavoy initially denied his name, made reference to a “king’s army”, recognising the court, wanting “the Hague here” and he cited the legal authority of the European Union.
Judge Jones said he could not force the accused to have a solicitor to act on his behalf.
Remanding him in custody, Judge Jones added, “this man is a danger to himself and to the public in his present state, [and] the children involved”.
Mr Peavoy will appear again at Cloverhill District Court on 5 June via video link. The judge directed medical attention in custody.
